‘Transformer bots’ capable of over 1,000 configurations

The findings from North Carolina State University, which are detailed in Nature Communications, could lead to shape-shifting artificial systems that can take on multiple functions that include carrying a load.

In a statement, co-corresponding author Jie Yin, associate professor of mechanical and aerospace engineering, said: “The question we’re asking is how to achieve a number of versatile shapes with the fewest number of actuators powering the shapeshifting. Here we use a hierarchical concept observed in nature – like layered muscle fibres – but with plastic cubes to create a transforming robot.”

According to NC State, the researchers assembled hollow, plastic cubes using a 3D printer and assembled 36 of them together with rotating hinges; some hinges were fixed with metal pins, while others were activated wirelessly with a motor.

The researchers were able to move the cubes into over 1,000 shapes using three active motors. Those shapes included tunnel-like structures, bridge-like structures and multi-story architectures.

The untethered, origami-inspired transformer bots can move forward, backward and sideways by controlling how the structure’s shape changes. The bots can also transform relatively quickly from flat, or fully open, to a boxlike larger cube, or fully closed. The bots can also carry a load about three times their own weight.

Next, the researchers will attempt to improve the transformer bots.

“We want to make a more robust structure that can bear larger loads,” said Yanbin Li, an NC State postdoctoral researcher and co-corresponding author of the paper. “If we want a car shape, for example, how do we design the first structure that can transform into a car shape? We also want to test our structures with real-world applications like space robots.”

“We think these can be used as deployable, configurable space robots and habitats,” said Antonio Di Lallo, an NC State postdoctoral researcher and co-first author of the paper. “It’s modular, so you can send it to space flat and assemble it as a shelter or as a habitat, and then disassemble it.”